The name Claro is derived from the Italian word "chiari," which means "clear," or " luminous." As such, the Claro surname was likely originally a nickname for a person with a clear or light complexion. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name, and usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name.

Claro Early Origins

The surname Claro was first found in the 8th century, when Orso Chiarelli was one of the leaders of the town of Ferraruola.

Claro Spelling Variations

Claro Spelling Variations

Italian surnames come in far more variations than the names of most other nationalities. Regional traditions and dialects are a decisive factor in this characteristic. For example, northern names tend to end in "o", while southern in "i". Also important, but not unique to Italy, was the fact that before dictionaries and the printing press most scribes simply spelled words according to their sounds. The predictable result was an enormous number of spelling variations. The recorded spellings of Claro include Chiarucci, Chiari, Chiaro, Chiara, Clari, Claro, De Chiara, Del Chiaro, Di Chiara, Clarich, Chiarenti, Chiaretti, Chiarelli, Chiarello, Chiariello, Chiarel, Chiarella, Claretti, Chiarini, Chiarìn, Clarini, Chiarotti, Chiart, Clarotti, Chiaroni, Chiaranda, Chiarandini, Chiarante, Chiarantini, Chiarato, Chiaratto, Chiarenza, Chiarito, Chiarizia, Clarizia, Chiarolla, Chiarulli, Chiarullo, Chiarugi, Chiarutti, Chiaruttini, Chiaraluce, Chiarantoni and many more.

Claro Early History

Claro Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Claro research. Another 21 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1391, 1400, 1615, 1660, 1712, 1766 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Claro History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Claro Early Notables (pre 1700)

Claro Early Notables (pre 1700)

Prominent among members of the family was Manfredi III Chiaramonte (died 1391), a Sicilian nobleman, Lord of Trapani, Agrigento, Bivona, Licata, Castronovo, Lentini, Palma di Montechiaro and Mussomeli; Giorgio Chiarini, a well known author in Florence around 1400; Bartolomeo Chiarini of Rome, a famous engraver in the 16th century; Fabrizio Chiari...

Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Claro Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Claro: Cappaccio Chiara, aged 36, who arrived at Ellis Island from Mirabella, in 1900; Carlo Chiara, aged 30, who arrived at Ellis Island from Trofarello, Italy, in 1920.

The Claro Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Claro Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.